Aviation accidents are rare in the greater Asheville area, but they can really happen to anyone. When you place your trust in the hands of a charter pilot, commercial airline, helicopter medevac, or a hobbyist flier, then you risk getting into a dangerous accident with serious — often deadly — consequences.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board, 1,315 total civil aviation accidents happened in 2017, leading to 347 deaths. Just 82 of these accidents involved commercial airlines or registered carriers. The rest, including 203 of the 211 fatal accidents, involved “General Aviation” practitioners.
When you are hurt in an aviation accident in Asheville, your injuries are likely to be severe. You may have spinal cord damage, a traumatic brain injury, or a compound fracture. Your hospital bills will likely pile up, and you may be worried about how to pay for them all. If you had a loved one tragically die in an aviation accident, then you are experiencing even greater losses — both emotional and financial.
An Asheville aviation accident lawyer can represent your case to help you pursue the maximum compensation allowed for your injuries and other costs. Auger & Auger has represented personal injury victims in Asheville and throughout the Southeast for over 26 years. We work closely with victims to help them find the best outcome possible for their given situation.
Contact an experienced aviation accident attorney in Asheville to learn more about your legal rights and your options for obtaining compensation after your crash. Call (828) 222-7649 or contact us online to schedule your free, zero-obligation case review appointment now.
Who Is Responsible For Paying My Bills After My Aviation Accident?
Anyone involved in an aviation accident should seek emergency medical attention immediately. Even if they do not feel injured, they may have latent injuries that could become worse over time.
Because of the need for immediate medical treatment, aviation accident victims may not know what options are available for paying their medical bills once they are discharged. In most situations, you will have to file the medical costs under your private medical insurance policy. If you have another relevant policy, such as travel insurance or passenger liability insurance, you can use those to reimburse the hospital instead.
Ultimately, though, the one who should pay for the costs of the injuries is the person, company, or party responsible for the flight accident in the first place. By seeking a personal injury claim with the help of an experienced Asheville aviation accident lawyer, you can obtain compensation for all of your losses, which are called “damages.”
If you used your own insurance to initially pay for your injury costs, then a successful aviation accident claim will first reimburse your insurers before paying out to you.
Determining Fault After An Asheville Aviation Accident
Once you have been involved in an aviation crash, the most important issue at hand is determining who was at fault for the accident.
“Fault,” in this sense, most often refers to “negligence.” Negligence is a legal concept that, in brief, says that someone caused an injury by failing to uphold their duty of care. “Duty of care” can refer to compliance with laws and regulations as well as the general expectation of “ordinary care” that a “reasonable person” would exercise in any given situation.
There are many possible sources of negligence that contribute to an aviation accident; some accident may have multiple. Below are some examples of possible negligent parties and the type of negligence that may have contributed to them causing an accident.
- An inexperienced hobbyist pilot: Making poor judgment calls in turning, landing, or choosing to fly in dangerous weather.
- A small on-demand commercial carrier (Charter): Neglecting to update navigation systems to the latest standard while also failing to exercise due diligence in charting a safe course.
- A local airfield: Providing poor infrastructure or allowing for limited visibility that makes takeoffs and landings risky
- Fuel provider: Providing defective fuel that leads to engine stalls
- Maintenance/mechanic companies: Failure to properly maintain flight landing gear
- Commercial airline: Failure to hire experienced, qualified commercial pilots
- Airplane manufacturer: Overly complex flight controls and absent key safety features, such as has been alleged about the Boeing 737 Max
- Air traffic controllers: Often protected by industry immunity agreements, but sometimes liable in the event of catastrophic errors and mistakes.
- Manufacturers of fuselages, engines, or key safety systems: Airplane defects may be present in just one or more key safety features.
Damages Available After An Asheville Aviation Accident
There are many forms of compensation available to repay you for the consequences of your aviation accident. Common damages include:
- Medical bills, past, and future
- Lost wages
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of earning capacity
- Permanent disfigurement, disability, or severe scarring
A Wrongful Death claim can bring surviving family members funeral and burial expenses, as well as compensation for the loss of income and benefits from the remainder of the victim’s expected lifetime.
Asserting Your Right To Claim Compensation With An Asheville Aviation Accident Attorney
Filing an aviation accident injury claim can be tough, especially if you’re going up against a big company like Delta or Cessna. You can benefit from the knowledge and experience that an experienced personal injury attorney can bring. They will assist you with investigating your claim, examining legal strategies based on past cases, and negotiating with insurers to get you the maximum compensation available. In the event that you cannot reach a fair settlement agreement, your lawyer can file a lawsuit and take your case to court.
At Auger & Auger Accident and Injury Lawyers, we want to help accident victims have the best possible chances of recovering. We understand the pain, confusion, and anxiety you may be feeling in the wake of your accident or a loved one’s passing.
Contact us today, and you can receive a free, no-obligation case review from one of our experienced Asheville aviation accident lawyers. Dial (828) 222-7649 or contact us online to schedule your appointment now.
